TEHRAN -- visiting european union foreign policy chief javier solana in a meeting with iranian foreign minister kamal kharrazi here on monday announced eu's willingness to boost cooperation with tehran.

according to the foreign ministry's information and press bureau, solana referred to the important role the islamic republic plays in regional affairs and expressed satisfaction with growing trend of bilateral ties.

he also underlined the need for continued mutual relations between iran and the eu member states, and announced the union's support for idea of 'dialogue among civilizations' proposed by president mohammad khatami.

the eu foreign policy chief hoped that conclusion of mutual trade agreements will encourage the european countries to invest in iran more than before.

solana further voiced concerns about the current crisis in the middle east and called on all states to help ease the crisis in the region.

the iranian foreign minister, in response, said that expansion of iran-eu ties would serve both sides' interests.

alluding to the recent trip of an eu delegation to tehran, kharrazi added that iran attaches great importance to enhancement of its ties with the eu.

on developments in palestine, he said vindicating the palestinians legal rights was the sole solution to the ongoing problem.

kharrazi also said that the united states' unconditional support for israel is the main factor behind the zionist regime's atrocities.

solana arrived here sunday evening for a two-day official visit.

prior to his arrival, the eu foreign policy chief visited india, pakistan and afghanistan.

during his stay in iran, solana is scheduled to confer with president mohammad khatami and several high-ranking political and security officials.